Title
Discussion and Possible Action on the 2025 Los Alamos County State Legislative Priorities
Recommended Action
I move that Council approve the 2025 Los Alamos County State Legislative Priorities as presented.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve the 2025 Los Alamos County State Legislative Priorities as requested.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
The Council Regional and State Working Group recommends that Council approve the 2025 Los Alamos County State Legislative Priorities as requested.
Body
Each year the Los Alamos County Council approves a set of Support, Monitor, and Oppose items for the New Mexico State Legislative Session. As the session begins in mid-January, a set of priorities is needed prior to that start date. This year's State Priorities were drafted in consideration of the Council, County Management, and Departmental input. The Regional and State Working Group has reviewed, discussed, and made appropriate changes to the original draft. What you have before you is the final draft approved for discussion at this meeting by that Working Group.
Changes from the 2024 State Priorities to the 2025 State Draft Priorities have been highlighted in both versions to make it easy to track the differences between the two documents.
Among the major policy points for your consideration are the following:
In the Support section -
1. In item a) there is an addition of "including interjurisdictional compacts" was made. Staff from Community Services Division had indicated interest in the Psychology Interjurisditional Compact (PsyPact). Upon further research, another interjurisdictional compact, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) was also considered by the Regional and State Working Group. This resulted in two resolutions being brought forward by Los Alamos County at the New Mexico Municipal League annual convention to support the State of New Mexico joining the referenced compacts. PsyPact and IMLC are among the nine compacts Think New Mexico, a Santa Fe based policy think tank, recommends NM join to increase medical access by New Mexicans. There are issues that have been brought to the Regional and State Working Group regarding the potential negative effects of joining the IMLC including the potential need for stronger Shield Laws.
2. In item b) this item originally was much broader in terms of support of legislation that improved the NM environment. It has been narrowed to specifically support legislation that supports the NM and LAC climate action plans and initiatives that would conserve or protect our natural resources.
3. In item c) a phrase to specifically support legislation that is supported by LAPS has been added. Those policies are included in the attachments.
4. Item d) has been added to the priorities. Last year, the Council voted on a separate resolution to support Paid and Family Medical Leave (PFML). The Council may choose to use that same method for PFML or include it in the Priorities.
5. Item g) has been added to clarify that Los Alamos County supports the needs of the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
6. Item h) are the two project areas that we intend to pursue for capital outlay through our legislators and Governor.
There are other wording changes in the current draft State Priorities for 2024, but no other policy changes.
Alternatives
The Council may make changes to the language for approval.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
No staff or fiscal impact is foreseen.
Attachments
A - 2025 Los Alamos County State Priorities Draft
B - 2024 Los Alamos County State Priorities with highlights
C - 2025 LAPS supported policies
D - PsyPact and IMLC Summaries
E - 2024 Resolution in support of PFML